On 21 December, the Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centre “Liepna” (hereinafter – ASAC) hosted the final visit of the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Emergency Financial Instrument project “Addressing urgent accommodation and humanitarian needs arising from the increased number of asylum seekers in Latvia” (hereinafter – the Project), which was attended by officials of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter – the Office) and cooperation partners – representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and the State Agency for Security.
In view of the difficult and changing geopolitical circumstances of the world, the Office, using the Project funding, implemented a series of measures to establish and improve the ASAC, which can accommodate 250 persons. Within the project, extensive technical improvements were made and the recruitment of ASAC personnel – 15 employees – was ensured, as well as the possibility for asylum seekers to receive counselling from a family doctor and mentors from the Society Integration Foundation in the ASAC premises.
During the visit, the officials got an insight into the improvements and adaptations made to the ASAC premises, saw the premises and equipment that allow to provide a functional and comfortable environment for the asylum seekers accommodated in the building on a daily basis.
As of 21 August this year, a total of 277 asylum seekers from the following countries have been accommodated in the ASAC: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Cameroon, Togo, Congo, Syria, India, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Gambia, Eritrea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Egypt, Tajikistan, Chad, Sudan, Guinea.
Thanks to the Project funding, these persons have been able to stay in well-equipped premises and receive the necessary practical assistance during the asylum procedure.
The European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Emergency Financial Instrument project No. HOME/2021/AMIF/AG/EMAS/TF1LV/0003 “Addressing urgent accommodation and humanitarian needs arising from the increased number of asylum seekers in Latvia” ran from 01.03.2022 to 31 December this year and involved the use of financial resources of 2 024 784,81 euros.
Personnel Management and Public Relations Department of the
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
prese@pmlp.gov.lv, 67219185